CELEBRATE BASKETBALL TEAMS' SUCCESS ON MARCH 7

Students, faculty and fans are invited to the Falcon Center at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, to celebrate the success of the men's and women's basketball teams this season. The celebration will take place in front of The Nickel, which is located on the second floor of the Falcon Center.

Coaches from both teams and President Rose are expected to congratulate the players and address the fans for exceptional 2012-13 seasons.

The women's team won 23 games and captured the WVIAC Tournament title, earning it an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Fairmont State's seed and opponent for the tournament will be revealed on March 10.

The men's team won 22 games and is expected to receive an at-large berth on Sunday when the NCAA Tournament field is selected on March 10.

Following is more information about the championship games:

The Fighting Falcons women's basketball team used a furious 22-4 run in the second half to defeat Seton Hill, 65-54, to claim the 2013 WVIAC Tournament Championship at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum.

Senior Kaitlin Snyder was named the Tournament MVP for her efforts in this week's tournament. Snyder, Hailey Garrett and Brianna Welch were all named to the WVIAC Tournament Team for their performance in the tournament.

FSU improves to 23-9 and have earned an automatic bid in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Seton Hill will finish the season with a 19-13 record.

Snyder recorded a double-double for the Falcons with 18 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game. Snyder went 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Snyder became the all-team leading scorer in women's basketball history at Fairmont State, passing Kristin Gutuso's 2,041 points as a member of the Falcons. Snyder now has 2,046 career points at FSU.

West Liberty improves to 30-1 and will be the favorite to host the Athletic Region Tournament. FSU falls to 22-8 and will await the announcement of the Atlantic Region committee for an at-large bid.

FSU was led by 17 points apiece from Malik Stith and Isaac Thornton. Brendan Cooper added 13 points and seven boards for the Falcons. Isaiah Hill also recorded seven rebounds for FSU. Stith, Thornton and Cooper were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Falcons will now await the decision by the NCAA selection committee on the naming of the at-large bids in the Atlantic Region Tournament. The selection show is on Sunday, March 10.